Credit union trade associations shrugged off a 2014 budget amendment passed by the Senate March 22 that would “establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to address the disproportionate regulatory burdens on community banks,” according to a release from sponsor Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.).

As drought-stricken businesses across the country are in dire need of assistance, the Obama administration asked the regulators to find ways to provide aid. The NCUA responded by informing 1,003 credit unions of their eligibility for low-income designation and allowing them to opt-in rather than slogging through paperwork.

Credit unions and community banks have traditionally stood as direct competitors, vying for the attention of similar types of consumers. But in the private student lending market, a fierce face-off between the two is not expected, several experts say.

The issue of lawyers filing a growing number of lawsuits over ATMs missing disclosure signs has moved from being a mere nuisance to credit unions to meetings with federal lawmakers and President Obama’s administration seeking relief.